ONE HUNDRED PENS into the Elders Yea 32nd annual Blue Ribbon calf sale, and no steers weighed less than 300 kilograms liveweight.

This was a very high quality yarding of 3567 head of 6 to 11 month old steer and heifer calves, which after the late, but good spring, weighed up to 448kgs for steers.

This was an exceptional yarding of cattle for breeding, quality and weight, and this led to some top competition.

Processor feedlot buyers were present, but few could go the pace against numerous South Gippsland and local district bullock fatteners.

Ravensworth feedlot did purchase a couple of pens of steers, but producers led them by the nose.

Top of the sale was the first pen of 166 Angus steers of Boxhill Pastoral Company. Their 22 EU accredited steers, 427kgs, sold for $1360, which was a state high price for this season.

Boxhill Pastoral Co’s younger steers sold for $870, the balance made between $1010 and the top price.

In liveweight price terms the Boxhill steers sold form 304 to 334c with a high average price of around 328c/kg.

Sibling rivalry, possibly not, but the Drysdale family, “The Lily”, Yarck, sold 216 Angus steers, 285-395kgs, between $1020 and $1300, which equaled 329 to 357c/kg lwt. The Lily steers had been weaned, which did make a difference to competition.